Gary Cookson @garycookson.bsky.social · 16/03/2026Today my latest book, The Squeezed Middle, is published. It’s about people most organisations rely on but rarely talk about properly: middle managers. They translate strategy into reality. They manage pressure from above & expectations from below. They hold teams together if things get messy. 1/ 112
Gary Cookson @garycookson.bsky.social · 31/01/2026Pleased to have featured on the latest episode of Learning Now TV, being interviewed by Lisa Minogue-White about the role of middle managers in the modern world of work and how we can develop the right attributes for success. Catch it here: learningnow.tv/watch/progra...learningnow.tvLearning Now TV - live-streamed internet television channelLearning Now TV is a live-streamed internet TV channel bringing you the latest L&D news,views and issues. 120
Gary Cookson @garycookson.bsky.social · 14/12/2025My LinkedIn account has been hacked. Please disregard anything that comes from it whilst I work to have it restored. 211
Reposted by Gary CooksonDaniel Taylor - Learning and Development @danielt-lnd.bsky.social · 01/12/2025It’s the launch of #AdventBlogs with the theme of “its time to change”. Our first blog comes from @garycookson.bsky.social, who I took over the curation of #AdventBlogs from, so its only right that he gets us started. www.danieltaylordevelopment.com/blog/the-wor...linkedin.com 312
Gary Cookson @garycookson.bsky.social · 31/10/2025Please get involved in this wonderful series of #AdventBlogs 010
Reposted by Gary CooksonMark Gilroy @thatmarkgilroy.bsky.social · 24/04/2025Here’s a video summary of @garycookson.bsky.social’s awesome session on hybrid work. www.linkedin.com/posts/mgilro... #T5S4 #LT25uklinkedin.com#hybridwork #futureofwork #leadership #organisationalculture… | Mark Gilroy🏢 Hybrid working isn’t working—or is it? Gary Cookson shared a LOT of information in this session, including some research from 4 months ago, which demonstrates: it’s not the office that’s the proble... 021
Gary Cookson @garycookson.bsky.social · 23/04/2025Sharing my views on how AI helps organisations to transform their approach to hybrid working and potentially to redesigning the working week. www.peoplemanagement.co.uk/article/1914... With thanks to Eleanor Whitehouse for commissioning me to write this for People Management.peoplemanagement.co.ukAI holds the key to making hybrid work and improving working patternsArtificial intelligence could open up better flexibility for more people – if employers decide how they want to use it and define the problem they want it to solve, argues Gary Cookson 130
Gary Cookson @garycookson.bsky.social · 23/04/2025Headed to #LT25uk shortly for a day and a half. Unbelievably it’s my first time attending. Looking forward to catching up with so many people, and speaking on three occasions (twice at the Kogan Page stand, and once in the main conference). Please come and say hello if you see me. 040
Reposted by Gary CooksonMark Catchlove @markcatchlove.bsky.social · 24/03/2025𝗝𝗢𝗜𝗡 𝗨𝗦 𝗢𝗡 𝗪𝗘𝗗𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗗𝗔𝗬 Hybrid working isn’t working. Organisations regularly get it wrong, causing frustration and rising tensions in the workplace. In this session Gary Cookson will examine why this is, where hybrid has come from and where it is going www.eventbrite.com/e/hybrid-isn...eventbrite.comHybrid isn’t working - but we can fix itKey considerations organisations and their leaders need to make in order to get hybrid working 032
Reposted by Gary CooksonTim Glowa @timglowa.bsky.social · 21/03/2025Hybrid work isn’t failing—leadership is. In this episode of The State of Work Today podcast, Gary Cookson (@garycookson.bsky.social) explains why the five-day workweek is outdated, how AI can transform HR, and what it takes to lead hybrid teams effectively. 1/2hrbrain.aiMaking Hybrid Work, Work: The Future of Leadership, Culture, and AISummary: Hybrid work isn’t failing—leadership is. In this episode of The State of Work Today podcast, Gary Cookson explains why the five-day workweek is outdated, how AI can transform HR, and what it ... 141
Reposted by Gary CooksonTim Glowa @timglowa.bsky.social · 20/03/2025If your company is struggling with productivity, culture, or engagement, this episode has the answers. Listen now: pod.fo/e/2bb037 #Leadership #HybridWork #WorkplaceCulture #FutureOfWork #AI 2/2 (end)pod.fo#30 - Making Hybrid Work, Work – with Gary CooksonThe State of Work Today · Episode 132
Reposted by Gary CooksonTim Glowa @timglowa.bsky.social · 20/03/2025Missed yesterday’s State of Work Today podcast? You need to catch up. Gary Cookson joined me to talk about how companies are failing at hybrid work—and what they need to fix. One of his biggest insights? Hybrid work isn’t the problem—bad leadership is. 1/2pod.fo#30 - Making Hybrid Work, Work – with Gary CooksonThe State of Work Today · Episode 151
Gary Cookson @garycookson.bsky.social · 16/03/2025Have you read Making Hybrid Working Work? If so, would you please leave me an Amazon review? www.amazon.co.uk/review/creat... Thank you in advance.amazon.co.ukAmazon Sign In 020
Gary Cookson @garycookson.bsky.social · 14/03/2025People are messing me about with my book research and it’s making me mad. They offer to help and then ghost me or, worse, try to sell me something. 000
Reposted by Gary Cookson4 Day Week Foundation @4dayweek.bsky.social · 10/03/2025Congratulations to @garycookson.bsky.social for becoming a Gold Standard 4-day week employer!🥳🥳 Epic HR have made it their mission to help businesses adapt, evolve and excel. It’s clear they’ve applied the same goals to their own business by implementing a 4-day week! 🙌 241
Gary Cookson @garycookson.bsky.social · 07/03/2025Pleased to have added my thoughts to this piece by Islam Soliman in People Management magazine on data that shows hybrid working and flexibility in general boosts women's (and by extension all working parents) career progression. What are your views? www.peoplemanagement.co.uk/article/1909...peoplemanagement.co.ukMajority of women say hybrid work boosts their career progression, study showsResearch finds flexible working is nearly twice as valued as parental leave, with most women prioritising it over family-focused policies 020
Gary Cookson @garycookson.bsky.social · 04/03/2025Remembering Pancake Day in 2018 when I travelled 1st class on Virgin Trains and was so disappointed they didn’t serve pancakes that I tweeted them to moan. Several days later a pancake maker arrived by post, courtesy of Virgin Trains. 010
Gary Cookson @garycookson.bsky.social · 03/03/2025Really pleased to be invited onto the OrgDev podcast hosted by Dani Bacon & Garin Rouch. It publishes today - find it wherever you get your podcasts, plus YouTube. We had a great time recording this, - I loved sharing my thoughts on how to make hybrid working work. www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F6o...youtube.comHybrid Work Leadership Essentials for Success | Gary Cookson | OrgDev Podcast #59YouTube video by Garin & Dani - Distinction Consulting 020
Gary Cookson @garycookson.bsky.social · 28/02/2025Pleased to have added my thoughts to this piece in People Mgt on whether the trend for “micro-retirements” has merit. TL:DR - yes but you need enormous piles of money to do it more than once, or be prepared to work longer. Would you be attracted to it? www.peoplemanagement.co.uk/article/1908...peoplemanagement.co.ukMicro-retirements: social media fad or the future of work?As the trend takes off on TikTok, People Management asks if it is here to stay and how employers should respond 010
Gary Cookson @garycookson.bsky.social · 26/02/2025Wondering if replying to a request from People Management for comments on a particular topic is ideally done after three-quarters of a bottle of wine. We'll find out. I will report back tomorrow. 010
Gary Cookson @garycookson.bsky.social · 20/02/2025Pleased to announce EPIC is now a Gold Accredited Four-Day Week organisation. We have been four-days for 3 years - it works well. So much has been learnt. I spend part of my time helping organisations to consider what the working week looks like for them. Interested to know more? Message me. 030
Gary Cookson @garycookson.bsky.social · 20/02/2025Really pleased to have been a guest on Tim Hughes #TimTalks podcast talking about themes from my book Making Hybrid Working Work. Catch it here: youtu.be/D3CX8lFpd7Qyoutu.be#TimTalk – Making hybrid working work with Gary CooksonYouTube video by Timothy Hughes 021
Gary Cookson @garycookson.bsky.social · 20/02/2025Pleased to have added my thoughts to this article by Islam Soliman in People Management magazine on whether younger workers are lazy for not wanting to commute to an office every day. Link in Comments. 110
Gary Cookson @garycookson.bsky.social · 14/02/2025It wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day unless Katie had made some kind of threat to my continued existence, and reminded me how lucky I am to have her, and made exciting future plans with me, all in the same sentence. Still, though, I love her. Happy Valentine’s Day to my wife. XXX 020
Gary Cookson @garycookson.bsky.social · 05/02/2025I've been invited via a cold email onto a Women in Leadership course, as the sender feels that it would benefit me on my career journey to being a great female leader. I wonder what would happen if I accepted the invite? 160
Gary Cookson @garycookson.bsky.social · 31/01/2025Pleased to have added my thoughts to this article by Islam Soliman in People Management magazine commenting on President Trump’s plans to offer severance packages to US Federal Government employees who don’t work to return to the office. www.peoplemanagement.co.uk/article/1904...peoplemanagement.co.ukTrump proposes 'deferred resignation' for federal workers who refuse office mandate – what are the key lessons for HR?As US president offers exit payout for public officials unwilling to return, People Management explores the challenges the move presents 010
Gary Cookson @garycookson.bsky.social · 29/01/2025Pleased to have added my thoughts to this piece by Dan Cave in HR magazine (first time in YEARS!) on the barriers to making a four-day working week a reality. www.hrmagazine.co.uk/content/news...hrmagazine.co.ukHow can employers implement a four-day week? - HR MagazineTwo hundred UK companies have signed up to implement a permanent four-day week for all employees at full pay, according to the latest 4 Day Week Foundation data. 010
Gary Cookson @garycookson.bsky.social · 28/01/2025Pleased to see an extract from Making Hybrid Working Work feature in Chartered Management Institute's Insights page focusing on new skills needed for managers in a hybrid working organisation. www.managers.org.uk/knowledge-an... #MakingHybridWorkingWorkmanagers.org.ukFeeling ‘squeezed’ by hybrid working?The skills you need to add to your hybrid working skill set: from being open to change to listening to what the data says… 030
Gary Cookson @garycookson.bsky.social · 28/01/2025Today is the US publication day of Making Hybrid Working Work. It is leading to some great conversations already - the debate about hybrid doesn't seem to be going away given recent pronouncements by Donald Trump and Elon Musk. If hybrid isn't working, who ya gonna call? #MakingHybridWorkingWork 352
Gary Cookson @garycookson.bsky.social · 21/01/2025Did you watch Panorama last night on remote and hybrid working? What did you think? 100
Gary Cookson @garycookson.bsky.social · 18/01/2025Our neighbours still have their outside Christmas lights up and turned on and it is driving me mad 030
Gary Cookson @garycookson.bsky.social · 16/01/2025Someone shared their (UK) mobile number with me in a message and it was in the format 07xx-xx-xxxxx. I have only ever seen mobile numbers in 07xxx-xxxxxx format and this has thrown me. 210
Gary Cookson @garycookson.bsky.social · 13/01/2025Today marks the end of the 14th series of the #AdventBlogs - my 6th and final series as curator. Today's #AdventBlogs post is from me. One last post... epichr.co.uk/2025/01/13/a...epichr.co.uk#AdventBlogs - I let you go - Epic HRToday we reach the end of the 14th series of the #AdventBlogs. It has been my 6th and final series as Curator, so this is both my post for the series and a farewell post. The series will resume later ... 064
Gary Cookson @garycookson.bsky.social · 12/01/2025In today's penultimate #AdventBlogs post of the series, @mparryslater.bsky.social reflects on whether she really wanted to move to Australia. epichr.co.uk/2025/01/12/a...epichr.co.uk#AdventBlogs - I didn't want to leave - Epic HRThis is our penultimate post of the series, and the first time I’m scheduling a post in 2025. I have today announced on social media when the series will end, so you’re only reading this a few days la... 030
Gary Cookson @garycookson.bsky.social · 11/01/2025In today’s #AdventBlogs post Kate Jenkinson is happier where she is. epichr.co.uk/2025/01/11/a...epichr.co.uk#AdventBlogs - I don't want to go back - Epic HRWe are fast approaching the end of our series and we have two posts left. It is still 2024 as I type this, New Year’s Eve in fact, but well into January for you and I am pleased that the series has go... 010
Gary Cookson @garycookson.bsky.social · 10/01/2025In today's #AdventBlogs post @clarehaynes.bsky.social reflects on playing the violin. epichr.co.uk/2025/01/10/a...epichr.co.uk#AdventBlogs - A bit orchestrated - Epic HRMy announcement of the imminent deadline had the predicted effect and lots of posts have been received in the days leading up to that deadline. The deadline has now passed though and we are into our l... 130
Gary Cookson @garycookson.bsky.social · 09/01/2025In today’s #AdventBlogs post @sharongchiara.bsky.social remembers her neighbour. epichr.co.uk/2025/01/09/a...epichr.co.uk#AdventBlogs - I did not want to go - Epic HRStrange to think that a few days ago I thought our series might only get to 2nd January, and here we are on 9th January. Nothing like a deadline to get people writing. The end is definitely near now t... 221
Gary Cookson @garycookson.bsky.social · 08/01/2025The current series of the #AdventBlogs will conclude on Sunday unless any further posts are received. In the final post I’ll say my own goodbyes to the series and those who have read and contributed to it. 140
Gary Cookson @garycookson.bsky.social · 08/01/2025In today’s #AdventBlogs post @valentinahynes.bsky.social shares one of her family traditions. epichr.co.uk/2025/01/08/a...epichr.co.uk#AdventBlogs - Tradition - Epic HRAs I thought might happen, the announcement of the imminent ending of this series has prompted a few more posts. I do still suspect we are very close to ending, and I will of course announce if we rea... 132
Gary Cookson @garycookson.bsky.social · 07/01/2025Thanks to editor Eleanor Whitehouse for publishing this piece for me in People Management magazine on trends in the world of work for 2025 and how leaders should respond. www.peoplemanagement.co.uk/article/1901...peoplemanagement.co.ukThe future of work: how leaders can stay ahead in 2025Gary Cookson explores key trends that will shape businesses this year and beyond – and how bosses should react to them 043
Gary Cookson @garycookson.bsky.social · 07/01/2025In today’s #AdventBlogs post Claire Ingle is having fun. epichr.co.uk/2025/01/07/a...epichr.co.uk#AdventBlogs - I don't want to go because I'm enjoying myself - Epic HRI didn’t think our series would get this far, but I’m immensely pleased that it has. We are within a few days of finishing though – unless, as sometimes happens, people see that declaration and get wr... 011
Gary Cookson @garycookson.bsky.social · 06/01/2025In today’s #AdventBlogs post Bina Briggs reflects that it’ll turn out well in the end. epichr.co.uk/2025/01/06/a... Nb posting time of socials back to normal from tomorrowepichr.co.uk#AdventBlogs - It will work out in the end - Epic HROur series is approaching its end and we have but a handful of posts left. If you want the series to continue and haven’t already sent a post over, you have maybe 2 days to do that. Today at home, we ... 021
Gary Cookson @garycookson.bsky.social · 05/01/2025In today’s #AdventBlogs post Dawn Smedley remembers her Dad. epichr.co.uk/2025/01/05/a...epichr.co.uk#AdventBlogs - If I ever have to leave - Epic HROur series continues into its sixth week but we are getting closer to the end. As usual though as soon as I tell people that, there is a flurry of posts. This is one of three that arrived within the s... 000
Gary Cookson @garycookson.bsky.social · 04/01/2025In today’s #AdventBlogs post @liorlocher.bsky.social discusses tipping points. epichr.co.uk/2025/01/04/a...epichr.co.uk#AdventBlogs - Flip into action - Epic HRThis marks the end of our fifth week of the series, and we will get at least some way into a sixth. This is really encouraging for the future of this series. There is still some time left to send a pi... 032
Gary Cookson @garycookson.bsky.social · 03/01/2025Today Making Hybrid Working Work is published, so it’s a special day for me. It’s been a long time coming. If you read it - thank you - I’d love to know what you think. Message me or leave me a review. #MakingHybridWorkingWork www.amazon.co.uk/Making-Hybri... 6144